2005
Key events from 2005
🎯 History Quest
🧠 Test your historical knowledge!
Uncover fascinating connections between topics, people, and pivotal moments in history.
⚡ Fast-paced challenges
🎯 Build your streak
🏆 Earn bonus points
Stumble links found:
2005
A year of devastating natural disasters and terrorist attacks—but also technological innovation that would reshape how billions communicate, share, and consume media.
🌍 Key World Events
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 7 | London bombings (“7/7 attacks”) | Coordinated suicide bombings kill 52 people on London’s transport system, Britain’s deadliest terrorist attack since World War II. |
| Aug 29 | Hurricane Katrina strikes Gulf Coast | Category 5 hurricane devastates New Orleans and Gulf Coast, killing 1,800+ people and exposing systemic failures in disaster response. |
| Oct 8 | Kashmir earthquake kills 87,000 | Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Pakistan and India, one of the region’s deadliest natural disasters. |
| Jan 9 | Mahmoud Abbas elected Palestinian leader | Replaces Yasser Arafat as Palestinian Authority president, continuing peace process negotiations with Israel. |
| Apr 19 | Cardinal Ratzinger becomes Pope Benedict XVI | German cardinal elected as 265th Pope following death of John Paul II after 26-year papacy. |
🧪 Science & Technology
- YouTube founded (Feb 14) — Video-sharing platform revolutionizes internet media, user-generated content, and digital culture.
- Google Maps launched (Feb 8) — Web mapping service transforms navigation and local discovery.
- Xbox 360 released (Nov 22) — Microsoft’s next-gen console ushers in HD gaming era.
- Twitter prototype created (Mar) — Microblogging platform begins development, launching publicly in 2006.
- Deep Impact mission — NASA spacecraft intentionally crashes into comet Tempel 1, studying its composition.
🎨 Culture & Society
- “Crash” wins Best Picture — Controversial drama about racial tensions in Los Angeles takes top Oscar.
- “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” published — Sixth book in series sells 9 million copies in first 24 hours.
- iPod Nano released (Sep 7) — Apple’s sleeker MP3 player becomes must-have gadget of the year.
- “World of Warcraft” dominates gaming culture, transforming online multiplayer gaming with millions of subscribers.
- Podcasting explodes in popularity as iTunes adds podcast directory, democratizing audio broadcasting.
👶 Notable Births
| Name | Born | Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Saoirse Ronan | Apr 12 | Acclaimed Irish-American actress. |
⚰️ Notable Deaths
- Pope John Paul II (Apr 2) — Beloved pontiff who served 26 years, second-longest papal reign in history.
- Rosa Parks (Oct 24) — Civil rights icon whose bus boycott sparked the Civil Rights Movement.
- Hunter S. Thompson (Feb 20) — Gonzo journalism pioneer and counterculture figure.
- Peter Jennings (Aug 7) — Legendary ABC News anchor who covered major events for decades.
📚 Quick Facts & Trivia
- Katrina’s Cost: Hurricane Katrina caused $125 billion in damage, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history.
- YouTube’s First Video: “Me at the zoo” uploaded on Apr 23, 2005, featuring co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo.
- Sudan Peace Agreement (Jan 9) — Comprehensive peace agreement ends Second Sudanese Civil War after 22 years.
- Live 8 concerts (Jul 2) — Global concerts organized by Bob Geldof to pressure G8 leaders on African poverty and debt relief.
- Angela Merkel becomes Germany’s first female Chancellor (Nov 22), beginning her historic 16-year tenure.